1990: Sep
1994: Jul Sep
1996: Jun Jul Sep Oct Nov Dec
1997: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
1998: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
1999: Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2000: Jan Feb Mar Apr
California Superior Court Rules Local Power Supersedes Federal in Airport Expansion. The Los Angeles Times reports that Burbank won a court decision that gives it the right to control land use at Burbank Airport. The airport had claimed that federal law didn't allow localities to do this. The judge said "The question is whether you can take away from a local community the right to review an expansion in that community. I don't think federal authority goes that far." Legal representatives for Burbank noted "We have been victorious, not just legally, but in the ability to protect the noise environment around the airport."
Noise Regulation is Part of Indiana Town's Comprehensive Plan. A much longer article from The Indianapolis News reports Westfield, Indiana's vision for their comprehensive plan for growth and management that came from two recent planning sessions. Among the priorities of the 140 residents who participated were desires to preserve the rural charm of their area while fostering mixed growth, and subdivisions with houses that aren't mirror images of each other. Among their concerns was the regulation of noise pollution from a nearby airport.
Residents in Brandon, Florida, Complain about Noise from Students in Portable Classrooms. The Tampa Tribune reports that noise is one complaint that residents in Brandon, Florida, have about the use of portable classrooms that are parked at the McLane Middle School. Other complaints about the trailers and portables range from decreasing property values to unpleasant smells from the portable toilets to the inconvenience caused by portions of streets blocked off during school hours so that children can cross the streets safely.
New Jersey Readers Respond to Leaf Blower Use. In the Chatter section of The New York Times, New Jersey residents responded to the following questions: "Are leaf blowers a welcome labor-saving convenience or a noisy nuisance? Should their use be limited?"
"Pink" Noise Will Be Piped In At American Stores Tower In Salt Lake City. An extensive article appears in The Salt Lake Tribune about the impact 1,900 executive employees will make on downtown when they move into the American Stores high-rise tower in Salt Lake City, Utah, in January. Some downtown merchants see this major consolidation of company operations as having a positive impact on the downtown with increased shopping and spending. Business experts see this new conglomerate headquarters designed with its employees in mind as the wave of the future. The Salt Lake Tribune describes in detail the architectural design of the tower that accommodates such a large number of executives. One issue taken into consideration is blocking noise made by employees who work side-by-side in cubicles. "We've tried very hard to design a pleasant place where people want to come to work," American Stores engineer, Pete Bratsos explains.
Airport Expansion Issue in Mayor's Race in Ontario. According to The Toronto Star, longtime Mississauga, Ontario, mayor, Hazel McCallion, is up for re-election. While she is confident she will serve as Mississauga's mayor well into the millennium, she does face some challengers in the upcoming election. While many disagree about how serious her opposition is, her opponents cite some serious platform issues. One controversial issue is the expansion of Pearson International Airport.
Community Board Members in Greenwich Village, New York, Propose Selected Motorcycle Ban Due to Noise. The New York Times reports that in an effort to improve the quality of life in New York City, the Greenwich Village community board is pressuring the police to strengthen noise laws with reference to loud motorcycles. Their quality-of-life campaign may even try to ban motorcycles from local streets, the article says.
Orlando Homeowners Reject Hotel Proposal from Universal Studios on Grounds of Traffic and Noise. The Chicago Tribune reports that a group of Orlando, Florida, homeowners challenged Universal Studios Florida and won. Using increased traffic and noise pollution as issues, the residents persuaded the city's planning board to deny the theme park's application to build a hotel and golf course near their homes.
Schools in North Carolina Get Acoustical Panels to Quiet Sound in Band Rooms. The Morning Star reports that the Board of Education Monday approved the installation of acoustical panels in the band rooms of seven schools in Brunswick County, North Carolina. The panels will help suppress noise for students in classrooms near the band rooms, and also will reduce the noise inside the band rooms, the article says.
Residents Angry About Proposed Expansion of New Hampshire Speedway. The Union Leader reports that a public forum was held last night regarding the expansion of the New Hampshire International Speedway near Canterbury, New Hampshire. The forum was attended by more than 100 people, and issues were raised about the effect of the expansion on the largely rural small communities in the area. The article notes that most of the complaints centered around traffic, noise, and changing the character of the surrounding towns.
Residents Continue to Debate Los Angeles Leaf-Blower Ban. The Los Angeles Times printed the following letters-to-the-editor regarding the leaf-blower ban in Los Angeles:
New Jersey Township Passes Noise Ordinance. The Asbury Park Press reports that the Township Committee in Holmdel Township, New Jersey adopted a noise ordinance last night, based on a model drawn up by the state Department of Environmental Protection. The ordinance was passed in order to give protect residents against noisy lawn equipment, loud parties, or concerts at the PNC Bank Arts Center, the article says.
Noise Consultant Recommends Stronger Noise Restrictions for Universal Studio's Proposed Expansion in California. The Los Angeles Times reports that according to a noise consultant, the construction that Universal Studios has proposed should follow county standards rather than the more lenient city standards. He also said that noise measurements should be taken at the studios at unannounced times.
Houses Still Sell in Noise Zones Around Ohio Airport. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that jet noise around the Cincinnati - Northern Kentucky International Airport in Hebron, Ohio hasn't dissuaded people from purchasing homes in noise corridors around the airport. The article says that since April 1996, when the Kenton County Airport Board began a purchase assurance program as part of a federally mandated noise mitigation effort, 105 houses have been sold and an additional six sales are pending. According to figures released by the board's noise mitigation committee, the properties sold for an average of 94 percent of their appraised value and 95 percent of their list price.
NASA Studies Air Pollution from Jets in Upper Atmosphere. National Public Radio reports that NASA is finishing a mission to study air pollution in the upper troposphere, the layer of the atmosphere where jets fly. NASA's research involves collecting air samples using a jet that has been turned into a flying laboratory. Researchers hope that the information they are gathering will teach them about what ozone (smog), which causes global warming, does in this level of the atmosphere.
Maine Resident Says He'll Put Up With Noise From Dirt Bike Event. The Bangor Daily News printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Geoff Battick, a Bangor, Maine resident, about noise from events in Bass Park:
Taiwanese Mayoral Candidates Debate Local Environmental Issues, Including Noise Pollution. The China News reports that four mayoral candidates in Taichung, Taiwan held a two-and-a-half hour debate yesterday on local environmental issues. The debate was sponsored by Global Views Monthly magazine and the Commonwealth Publishing Company, and the candidates were Hung Chau-nan, for the KMT party, Chang Wen-ying, the DPP candidate, Eric Soong, the New Party candidate, and Cheng Pang-cheng, a Taiwan Independence Party candidate. The candidates discussed improving enforcement of related laws, noise reduction around the North-South Freeway, environmental protection taxes, and increasing public confidence in government efforts.
Dallas / Fort Worth Airport Finalizes its New Noise Monitoring System. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport soon will have its new noise monitoring system finalized. The 34 noise-monitoring stations scattered around the airport and in nearby neighborhoods have been up and running for more than a year, but the computer system to which they were supposed to be attached has been delayed for more than a year. But now airport officials say that part of the project will be completed by Christmas. The noise-monitoring system was promised by airport officials as part of a federally required environmental impact study in connection with the east runway that opened October 1, 1996.
Maryland Residents Angry at Noisy, Active New Neighborhood Church. The Baltimore Sun reports that residents in a Brooklyn Park neighborhood outside Baltimore, Maryland are angry with the activities of a inter-denominational Protestant church that opened recently in an old bingo hall. The church angered residents by holding a noisy event, and now some residents are suspicious that the church's activities will be undesirable.
Resident of California Retirement Community Asks That Proposed El Toro Airport Plan be Scrapped. The Los Angeles Times printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Dave Schlenker, a Laguna Hills, California resident, regarding the proposal to convert the El Toro Marine Corps Base to a commercial airport:
Residents in California City Battle Fraternities Over Noise. The Orange County Register reports that residents in a neighborhood of Fullerton, California are angry about the noise and activities of the six fraternity houses located there. The article says the clash between the students and residents has escalated in recent months, causing police to adopt a zero-tolerance policy with the fraternities, and city officials to call for meetings with university representatives. The Fullerton Planning Commission is set to discuss the issue on November 19.
New Zealand City Councilor Proposes Extra Fees for Noisy Air New Zealand Jets. The Evening Post reports that officers of the Wellington (New Zealand) City Council are preparing a proposal that Air New Zealand be forced to pay extra charges every time its noisy Boeing 737 jets land at Wellington Airport. The extra costs paid by the airline would be used to insulate homes around the airport against noise. The proposal is being championed by Councilor Sue Kedgley, who said that if the idea was accepted by the City Council, it would ask Wellington International Airport Limited -- 34% of which is owned by the Council -- to impose the extra charges.
Texas City Proposes Runway to Entice Helicopter Company to Locate There. The Dallas Morning News reports that city officials in Arlington, Texas have proposed building a 1,000-foot runway in an effort to convince Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. to locate a production facility of the tilt-rotor aircraft at Arlington Municipal Airport. The city council's airport development committee discussed the plan at a meeting Tuesday. Officials from Bell Helicopter have raised a number of concerns, including the desire to avoid angering nearby residents with noise that would come from ground-testing of the aircraft.
Texas Communities Vie For Helicopter Production Facility. The Dallas Morning News reports that city officials disclosed a proposal to build a 1,000-foot runway in an effort to convince Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. to house final production of the tilt-rotor aircraft at the Arlington, Texas Municipal Airport.
Airline Officials Complain About Noise Limits at Amsterdam's Airport. Aviation Daily reports that officials from the airline Polar Air Cargo are complaining about the consequences of strong noise limits imposed by the Dutch government at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. The noise limits will lead to airport-wide frequency reductions next spring, the article notes. Polar Air officials also are asking the U.S. Department of Transportation not to approve an application by KLM airlines (a subsidiary of Northwest Airlines) to place Northwest's "NW" code on KLM flights between Amsterdam and Calcutta. Meanwhile, KLM officials also oppose the Dutch regulations, but say they should be granted the code approval.
Amsterdam Airport's Noise Regulations Will Limit Flights and Runway Usage. Aviation Daily reports that officials at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport have submitted operational guidelines for the new noise regulations at the airport to the Dutch transport ministry. According to airport officials, the noise limits will require "far-reaching limitations on flights and runway usage" during 1998. Dutch carriers will have to reduce frequencies after April 1, airport officials said.
Freight Yard Approved Near Commercial and Residential Buildings in a Massachusetts Town; Business Owners Vow to Appeal. The Telegram & Gazette reports that the Zoning Board in Sterling, Massachusetts, near Worcester, has granted a special permit to Colnon & Co. to develop a freight yard behind the Barbers Crossing North Restaurant on Route 12. Residents and business owners are angry at the decision, and some are planning to appeal.
Proposed Arizona Subdivision Would Place Homes Near Future Freeway, Raising Town Officials' Concern. The Arizona Republic reports that a proposed 300-house subdivision near Gilbert, Arizona is being opposed by town officials because the development would threaten town land use plans for development around the Williams Gateway Airport, and because it would place homes next to the future San Tan Freeway, exposing future residents to traffic noise and fumes. However, town officials lack jurisdiction over the 75-acre land parcel, because it is an un-incorporated county "island" surrounded by the town. The proposal for the Hudson Ranches housing subdivision is expected to come before the Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission on November 20.
California Wedding Retreat Site and Neighbors Continue Five-Year Feud Over Noise and Traffic. The Los Angeles Times reports that a retreat center called Fantasy Island, located in Agoura, California, has had a long history of noise and traffic complaints. The article discusses the history of the problems at the center, owned by a sometimes-inflammatory Israeli immigrant. The article notes that problems have often stemmed from lame zoning enforcement and lack of action by local officials.
Pennsylvania Resident Advises His Neighbors to Accept the Airplane Noise. The Morning Call printed the following letter-to-the-editor from George Werkheiser, a resident of Hanover Township, Pennsylvania, regarding noise from the Lehigh Valley International Airport:
Letters-to-the-Editor Debate Benefits and Costs of Rail Acquisition in Ohio. The Plain Dealer printed the following letters-to-the-editor regarding the proposed sale of Conrail to Norfolk-Southern and CSX railroads in the Cleveland, Ohio area:
New Zealand Car Club's Noise Levels From Loudspeaker Are Under Review. The Timaru Herald reports that officials are reviewing the resource consent (permit) for the loudspeaker system of the South Canterbury Car Club's Falvey Road site near Timaru, New Zealand. The car club had sought to raise the permitted noise level from 45 decibels to 50 decibels, but the council intends to review two conditions of that proposal.
New Zealand Residents Angry Over Car Race in Residential Area. The Waikato Times reports that a car race was held over the weekend in the Hamilton, New Zealand city boundaries, and residents are angry about the excessive noise and smell of burning rubber. Residents have started a petition asking city councilors to move the competition out of the area. The competition was held by the Te Awamutu Rod and Custom Club and sponsored by the Te Rapa Tavern.
Fines for Helicopter Noise Made by Rich Maryland Executive Thrown Out of Court on a Technicality. The Baltimore Sun reports that officials in Baltimore County, Maryland have been attempting to collect $800 in zoning citations from a rich executive who lands his helicopter in Green Spring Valley, an exclusive residential neighborhood in the Lutherville area. But yesterday a hearing officer threw out the fines because county zoning inspectors listed the wrong address on the citation. Zoning officials, however, are vowing to file new complaints against Martin Grass, the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Rite Aid Corp., who uses the helicopter for his 20-minute commute to the company's headquarters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Noise from New Jersey Parkway Angers Residents; Highway Officials Consider Ways to Appease Them. The Asbury Park Press reports that residents in the Pine Ridge development in Barnegat Township, New Jersey expressed anger and frustration at a meeting last night about the way the New Jersey Highway Authority has handled a project to add three new toll booths to the 11 toll booths already at the Garden State Parkay toll plaza near their homes. Residents were angry about noise and safety issues of the project. In an attempt to satisfy the residents, officials with the highway authority said they would consider building an earthen berm between the parkway and the residents' homes.
Police in Wisconsin City Are Given More Power to Issue Noise Citations. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the Common Council in Franklin, Wisconsin approved an amendment to the city's noise ordinance that give police officers greater discretion in deciding noise violations. Police officers will be able to issue a citation even if the decibel level of the noise doesn't violate city noise standards, the article says.
More Noise Barriers Probably Won't be Built on Southern New Hampshire Interstate. The Union Leader reports that an information meeting was held last night by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation on the bridge reconstruction project on Interstate 93 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Most of the 50 residents who attended the meeting wanted more noise barriers as part of the project, but according to the article, it's not likely that more barriers will be built.
More People Have Medical Condition of Ringing in the Ears From Increasing Societal Noise. The Record reports that tinnitus, the ringing, roaring, or hissing sound in the ears that often is the start of noise-induced hearing loss, is becoming more common, according to the American Tinnitus Association. The article says the cause of the increase is our increasingly loud society.
South Carolina State Officials Say Proposed Racetrack Won't Hurt Forest. The Post and Courier reports that the South Carolina Department of Archives and History has decided that the predicted noise level of a proposed racetrack in Berkeley County will not prevent Francis Beidler Forest from being placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The state agency's decision eliminates a possible roadblock for the proposed Interstate Speedway. Opponents, who are worried about the racetrack's effect on the wildlife sanctuary two miles away, had hoped the noise level issue would halt the project, the article notes.
California Aviation Commission Wants Potential Homebuyers Warned About Airport Noise. The Ventura County Star reports that on Nov. 6, the Ventura County (California) Aviation Advisory Commission voted 4-3 against a proposed residential development near the Camarillo Airport. The commissioners said they wanted to ensure that all potential homebuyers are warned about the noise from planes flying over their neighborhood.
California Residents Worry About Expansion of Nearby Church, Saying More Noise and Traffic Will Result. The Ventura County Star reports that residents living near the Ventura Missionary Church in Ventura, California, are worried that the church's proposed 33,000-square-foot expansion will add more noise and traffic problems to their neighborhood. The Planning Commission is set to consider the church's request on Dec. 2, the article notes.
Resident Thanks Newspaper for Coverage of New Jersey Airport Noise Problem. The Record printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Emma Perez, chair of the Bergen County (New Jersey) Against Aircraft Noise group, regarding jet noise from the Teterboro Airport:
Residents Near Dallas's Love Field Air Frustrations Over More Flights at Local Meeting. The Dallas Morning News reports that about 150 residents living near Love Field in Dallas, Texas attended a meeting Friday to discuss the prospect of more flights at the airport. The residents believe that the new flights authorized recently by Congress could mean more noise, lower property values, and the eventual elimination of all flight restrictions at the 80-year-old facility. The article reports that the two-hour meeting was co-sponsored by Dallas City Council member Veletta Forsythe Lill and state Senator Royce West (D-Dallas).
Texas Community Worries That Drag Racing Facility May Cause Noise. The Dallas Morning News reports that Mansfield, Texas officials are concerned about noise and traffic, and are requesting information about Grand Prairie's intentions to build a drag-racing facility.
Texas Town Officials Worried About Prospect of a Drag-Racing Facility Moving Nearby. The Dallas Morning News reports that officials in Mansfield, Texas are requesting information about whether the nearby town of Grand Prairie intends to build a drag-racing facility. Mansfield officials are worried about potential noise and traffic from a racetrack. The article notes that Billy Meyer, the owner of the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, wants to relocate his racetrack, and is considering Grand Prairie, Lancaster, and an undisclosed city as possible locations.
Florida Residents Hire Attorney to Ensure Dredging Project Will Be Quiet. The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News reports that Martin County, Florida officials have a project planned to dredge the sand shoals in the St. Lucie Inlet near Stuart, and residents who live nearby in the Hanson's Landing condominiums have hired an attorney and are planning to sue the county for creating a public nuisance if the workers create as much noise as they did during another inlet project earlier this year.
Indiana Town Officials Present Suggestions for Reducing Jet Noise from Indianapolis Airport. The Indianapolis News reports that officials from Plainfield and Mooresville, Indiana offered suggestions for diverting most of the planes from Indianapolis International Airport away from Metro West area towns at a public hearing Wednesday night. The article says that about 30 residents and several of their attorneys from areas in Hendricks, Morgan, and Marion counties also offered suggestions. The Indianapolis Airport Authority held the public hearing to gather comments about the airport's latest planned changes in flight patterns and other steps to mitigate or compensate neighbors for the harmful noise. The public's comments will be reviewed before the airport board votes in January on a new noise mitigation plan, according to airport spokesperson Dennis Rosebrough, after which the plan will be sent to the Federal Aviation Administration for approval.
Local New York City Official Considers Challenging Decision Allowing Additional Jet Flights. The Daily News reports that Claire Shulman, the Queens Borough President in New York City, is considering challenging a recent federal decision allowing additional takeoffs and landings at LaGuardia Airport, saying the skies already are noisy and congested enough. Last month, the article notes, the U.S. Department of Transportation granted Frontier Airlines, ValuJet Airlines, and AirTran Airways exemptions to the High Density Rule for new services where slots are limited. The rule limits the number of hourly takeoffs and landings allowed at LaGuardia and Kennedy airports in New York, O'Hare Airport in Chicago, and Washington National Airport.
Workshop Scheduled in Connecticut to Address Airport Noise Issues. The Hartford Courant reports that the Federal Aviation Administration, the Connecticut Department of Transportation's bureau of aviation and ports, and the Bradley International Airport Commission will sponsor a November 24 workshop to address noise issues at the Bradley International Airport near Windsor Locks and Suffield.
Dorm Shortage in Maryland University Town Sends Students Off-Campus, Resulting in Rising Noise Complaints. The Baltimore Sun reports that dormitory rooms at Towson University in Towson, Maryland are at 101% of capacity, with 150 more students waiting for rooms. As a result, more students have been moving into nearby apartments and houses, which has triggered complaints about noise, parties, and trash from residential neighborhoods.
North Carolina County and School Board Officials Fight Over Proposed Location of New School Near Airport. The News & Record reports that members of the Guilford County (North Carolina) school board told Guilford residents Thursday that some of the county commissioners have lied to them and virtually eliminated a property from consideration as a site for a new northwest middle school. County commissioners have twice in the past few weeks rejected the school board's request to approve money to purchase a site on Horsepen Creek Road, citing the high price of the site, and safety and noise concerns because of the site's proximity to the Piedmont Triad International Airport. In response, the school board is now considering the possibility of building elsewhere, including on land that is now part of county-owned Bur-Mil Park and a site owned by the Piedmont Triad International Airport.
Florida Residents Living Near Proposed Lakeshore Park Are Worried About Noise. The Florida Times-Union reports that residents in Eagle Harbor, in the Jacksonville, Florida area, are worried about the county's plans to build a 3-acre recreational park on Doctors Lake off Lakeshore Drive North, because of the potential noise from loud, late-night music. The county planning commission will hold a public hearing on the matter on December 2, and will decide the matter on December 23.
Owners of Former Nightclub Sue Seattle, Saying Racism and City Noise Ordinance Destroyed Their Business. The Seattle Times reports that Keith Olson and Ronald Santi, the owners of the former Celebrity Italian Kitchen, filed suit yesterday in U.S. District Court against Seattle, Washington city officials, alleging police officers and other officials repeatedly harrassed the club because it catered mainly to African Americans, and used a city noise ordinance to destroy the business.
California Resident Urges Others to Oppose Universal Studio's Proposed Expansion Due to Increased Noise and Traffic. The Los Angeles Times printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Joan Luchs, a Los Angeles resident, regarding the proposed expansion of Universal Studios:
California Residents Air Their Views About Proposed Conversion of Marine Base to Commercial Airport. The Los Angeles Times printed the following letters-to-the-editor from residents in the Irvine, California area regarding the proposed conversion of the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station into a commercial airport:
Fans and Foes of California Bridge Expansion Fight Over Potential Impacts. The Sacramento Bee reports that officials in Sacramento County, California are considering widening the Watt Avenue bridge over the American River to relieve congestion in the area. The first public hearing on the matter will be held Monday, and opponents and proponents of the plan are expected to attend. The $15 million project will go before county supervisors for a vote early next year, the article notes.
Florida City Wants to Close Airport, But FAA Says it Must Stay Open. The Sun-Sentinel reports that city officials in Pompano Beach, Florida have been exploring the possibility of closing the Pompano Beach Air Park since September. But the Federal Aviation Administration, which must grant permission to close the airport, recently told city officials the airport is too important to the future aviation needs of South Florida to be shut down.
Florida County Hearing Officer Denies Appeal of Neighbors Living Near Dirt Pit. The Tampa Tribune reports that a Florida county hearing officer denied an appeal by residents living near a borrow pit in eastern Hillsborough County, where dirt is excavated by the Hardaway Co. Residents are sick of the dust and noise from the pit, and filed the appeal to revoke the company's permit. But the hearing officer ruled that the operating permit that allows Hardaway to dig a half-million yards of dirt from the pit is valid. The hearing officer did include an amendment to the permit requiring Hardaway to water the pit daily to reduce dust.
Florida Excavation Area Unpopular With Neighbors. The Tampa Tribune reports that an excavation site in Thonotosassa, Florida is causing air and noise pollution for area residents.
Monks in Nova Scotia Fight Loggers' Chainsaws. The Record reports that Catholic monks at the Nova Nada monastery in Nova Scotia are fighting the J.D. Irving company over logging in the woods near the monastery. The monks say the chainsaws disrupt their silent meditation, and are waging a fight to keep the logging operations at least two miles away from the monastery.
Conservation Group Says National Park Service Should Regulate Air Tours Over National Parks. U.S. Newswire reports that an official from the National Parks and Conservation Association today testified at a congressional field hearing that the National Park Service should be given the power to regulate air tours over national parks in order to curb noise. The official said that legislation is needed to manage the operations of scenic air tours, because the tours have grown explosively at the Grand Canyon and have expanded to other parks. Currently, neither the Park Service nor the Federal Aviation Administration has a process in place for regulating or managing flight tour operations over parks, the article notes.
Florida Residents Fight with Business Owners Over Early Morning Noise. The Sun-Sentinel reports that residents in a Coral Springs, Florida neighborhood are angry about the early morning noise from businesses near their homes. Meanwhile, businesses are angry about the city ordinance that stipulates they can't open until 8 a.m. due to noise constraints, and are arguing they should be allowed to open at 7 a.m. The City Commission will discuss the ordinance at a second public hearing Tuesday evening.
Georgia Planners Gear Up for Increasing Business Sector Air Traffic at General Aviation Airports. The Atlanta Journal reports that because businesses are increasingly owning their own fleets of jets, general aviation airports in the Atlanta area are booming. According to Bill Peratta, senior planner for the Atlanta Regional Commission, takeoffs and landings at these airports now outnumber commercial airliner takeoffs and landings at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport. Planners in the area are beginning to think about how to help general aviation airports manage the future air traffic growth, including how to deal with noise pollution and transportation congestion issues.
Illinois Correctional Officer Awarded Disability Benefits for Work-Related Hearing Loss. The Illinois Workers' Compensation Law Bulletin reports that a correctional officer was awarded permanent partial disability benefits by the Commission, after he suffered hearing loss and a constant, high-pitched tone when an inmate slammed a steel door next to his ear.
Kentucky Community Seeks $20 Million From State For Relocation Of Residents Effected By Airport Noise. Business First-Louisville reports that the Jefferson County (Kentucky) Judge-Executive David Armstrong's chief wish from the 1998 General Assembly is approval of a $20 million bond issue to help speed up the relocation of residents in 1,600 homes near Louisville International Airport at Standiford Field.
Relocation of Residential Neighborhoods Near Kentucky Airport Will Free Up Prime Land for Industry. The Courier-Journal reports that the communities of Minor Lane Heights and Edgewood, near the Louisville (Kentucky) International Airport, are in the heaviest noise zones surrounding the airport, and residents are expected to be moved to new neighborhoods in an airport buyout plan over the next several years. The article explores in detail the economic benefits that could result from using the land the neighborhoods now occupy for industrial and commercial airport-related development.
Airport Information Booths Anger Kenner Residents; They Still Say No New Runway. The Times-Picayune reports that a number of Kenner residents expressed their disapproval on Monday of New Orleans International Airport's plans to turn its east-west taxiway into a runway for private aircraft. Residents also were not pleased with the forum designed to receive their input.
Arizona Resident Wants Early Morning Marching Band to Obey Law. The Arizona Republic reports that a resident in the Gilbert, Arizona area is trying to quiet the noise of early morning band practice from the Mountain Pointe High School Marching Band. Resident Julie Reiter Suchard, who lives at Ray Road and 44th Street across from the school's football field, has complained to city officials, and has discovered that the band is violating a city code that regulates noise from musical instruments between 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. However, Suchard's complaint is drawing anger from band students, who say they have no other time to practice.
Citizens Protest Navy Jet Relocation to Virginia. The Virginian-Pilot reports that the U.S. Navy held its final public hearing Monday in Manteo, North Carolina on plans to relocate 180 F/A-18 Hornet jets to the Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, Virginia. About 20 people attended the hearing, including a resident from a newly formed citizens action committee opposing the jet relocation on the basis of noise and safety concerns. Meanwhile, the public comment period for the draft Environmental Impact Statement was scheduled to end today, but the Navy announced last week that the deadline would be extended to Dec. 2. North Carolina officials had asked for the extension for additional time to review it.
Cost to Fix San Francisco's New Whining Streetcars Could be $1 Million Per Car. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that officials from San Francisco's Municipal Railway said yesterday that the only remaining option to fix the whining noise and shaking caused by new Breda streetcars is a repair that could cost as much as $1 million a car.
County Commissioners Approve Firing Range Near North Carolina Town, Angering Residents. The News and Observer reports that county commissioners in Wake County, North Carolina voted Monday to approve a firing range near Holly Springs. The decision angered residents and officials in Holly Springs, who said their town is becoming a dumping ground for facilities no one else wants.
Fast Food Restaurant Proposal Near Residential Area is Rejected in Texas. The Dallas Morning News reports that planning and zoning commissioners in Plano, Texas on Monday rejected a request for a new Sonic drive-in restaurant on Coit Road due to the proximity of a residential neighborhood, and complaints from residents about the noise, traffic, and trash the restaurant would bring.
Illinois Cogeneration Facility May Close Due To Noise. The Chicago Daily Herald reports that a decision is expected today on whether Elgin Area Unit School District 46 in Elgin, Illinois can continue to operate its power plant next to Bartlett High School. The cogeneration facility saves the school about $1,000 per day on electricity bills, but also creates noise.
New Orleans Airport Officials Draw Criticism for Unusual Public Hearing on Proposed Taxiway Conversion. The Times-Picayune reports that officials of the New Orleans International Airport held a public hearing Monday to gather input on plans to turn an east-west taxiway into a runway for private aircraft. At the hearing, airport officials staffed five booths addressing different issues, such as noise and land acquisition, and invited questions from the 200 residents who attended. But many residents from Kenner were angry both at the proposed taxiway conversion and at the way the forum was set up to handle their input.
New Orleans Resident Complains About Noise and Trash in Historic Quarter. The Times-Picayune printed the following letter-to-the-editor from William Gershuny, a New Orleans resident, regarding the noise and trash problems in the city's historic Quarter:
Alabama City Council Warns Nightclub About Noise Complaints; Club Owners Insist They Aren't Noisy. The Montgomery Advertiser reports that the Montgomery (Alabama) City Council on Tuesday warned owners of the Diamonds nightclub on Narrow Lane Road that there have been noise complaints about the establishment. However, nightclub owners insist they aren't causing the noise.
Development Around New Zealand Airport Would be Limited Under Proposed Plan. The Southland Times reports that development surrounding the Invercargill Airport in Invercargill, New Zealand would be restricted to prevent noise complaints under the latest draft of the Invercargill District Plan released yesterday. The plan must be approved by the City Council, the article notes.
Grand Canyon Raft Outfitters Agree to Quieter Boat Motors. The Orange County Register reports that commercial river-rafting outfitters in Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park have agreed to convert their fleets of rafts to low-noise, low-emission outboards by 2001. The outfitters' announcement came in response to a growing call to quiet the noisy boats by the Park Service in response to the federal government's directive to restore "natural quiet" to the park. Meanwhile, conservation group members said the outfitters recognized they have little choice but to abandon the noisier outboard motors.
Louisiana City Schedules New Forum on Airport Expansion, Criticizing Forum Held by the Airport. The Times-Picayune reports that officials in Kenner, Louisiana have scheduled a public hearing on plans by the New Orleans International Airport to turn a taxiway into a runway for private planes. Local officials were critical of the way airport officials handled their own public forum on Monday on the same topic, the article says.
New Zealand Judge Hints that Rifle Range Use Might Have to be Restricted. The Evening Standard reports that an Environment Court judge in New Zealand hinted yesterday that the use of the Turitea rifle range might have to be severely restricted in order to comply with the Resource Management Act. Judge John Treadwell made the comments at the conclusion of a hearing initiated by the Palmerston North City Council, which argues that the judge should grant a declaration stating that land owned by the rifle club is being used for activities contrary to the Act. The decision in the case was reserved, the article says. However, in closing, the judge said that any such declaration could be over-ridden by a section of the Act that stipulates that occupiers of such land must ensure that noise emissions don't exceed a reasonable level.
North Carolina Officials Look for Site for New Firing Range to Replace Range Near Residents. The News and Observer reports that officials in Chapel Hill, North Carolina are continuing to look for a site for a new firing range, as residential development and complaints have sprung up around the old firing range. In a related matter, commissioners in Wake County voted Monday to build a new firing range near Holly Springs.
Residents Complain About Noise and Dust from Tennessee Slag-Mill Facility. The Knoxville News-Sentinel reports that in response to residents' complaints, the owners of the Ameristeel slag-processing operation run by Olympic Mill Service in Knoxville, Tennessee have agreed to make some changes to improve the noise and dust for neighbors in the Lonsdale community. Residents asked the city to get involved in their on-going problem with the plant owners after the company didn't cut back operations as promised.
California County Supervisor Fights Proposed Amphitheater. The Sacramento Bee reports that about 20 residents of Placer County, California met with Placer County Supervisor Bill Santucci about encroaching development in the county. While residents are fighting a Home Depot store permit in Auburn, Santucci is fighting the proposed Bill Graham Presents amphitheater in West Placer. Santucci said the amphitheater will have traffic and noise problems.
Developer in New Zealand Wants to Build Near Airport. The Southland Times reports that at a hearing in Queenstown, New Zealand yesterday, officials from the development company Remarkables Park argued that their proposed subdivision zoning near the Queenstown Airport should be allowed, in conjunction with acoustic insulation in the homes. The developer's comments came after two days of Queenstown Lakes District Council district plan hearings in which opponents of the proposed zoning change -- developer Terrace Tower and airlines Air New Zealand and the Mount Cook Group -- spoke.
English Boy's Complaint About Noisy Neighbor Leads to Neighbor's Eviction. The Daily Mail reports that Jeanette King and her two children of Bournemouth, England have been evicted from their home after a 13-year-old neighbor complained that King's non-stop playing of Frank Sinatra and Dire Straits records were preventing him from doing his homework.
Florida Airport Bans Nighttime and Weekend Touch-And-Go Training Maneuvers. The Sun-Sentinel reports that the Airport Authority in Boca Raton, Florida on Wednesday voted unanimously to ban touch-and-go training maneuvers at night and on weekends from the Boca Raton Municipal Airport in an effort to reduce noise. Touch-and-go landings, which are repetitive landings and take-offs by student pilots for training purposes, will be limited to weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., to take effect on January 1. The ban was recommended by an airport noise committee created several months ago to suggest ways to curb noise at the growing airport. The Pompano Beach Air Park instituted a similar ban on touch-and-go maneuvers in the past year, and as a result, the maneuvers have increased at Boca Raton, the article explains.
Florida Residents Call for Noise Pollution Reduction Inside Stadium. The Orlando Sentinel Tribune printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Len and Barbara Bergeson, residents of Merritt Island, Florida, regarding noise pollution at an Orlando Magic game:
Kentucky Airport Board Angers Town by Snubbing Engineer the Town Had Chosen to Help it Relocate Due to Jet Noise. The Courier-Journal reports that the Regional Airport Authority in Louisville, Kentucky has ignored the recommendation of leaders in Minor Lane Heights for an engineering firm to design a new site for residents to move to because of intolerable jet noise from the Louisville International Airport. Minor Lane Heights residents had worked with the firm the town recommended for two years to come up with an acceptable residential development design. In response to the airport authority's decision, leaders of Minor Lane Heights are threatening to move without the airport's assistance, or even to stay put. Leaders also said residents might consider selling their property directly to a private developer or commercial interest and selecting their own relocation site. Minor Lane Heights Mayor Fred Williams said he will get more input from his constituents, but he added, "It would tickle me to death for everybody to tell them to stick it."
Louisville Residents Rail Against Airport Authorities, Saying They're Fed Up with Noise. The Courier-Journal reports that about 50 residents attended a meeting sponsored by the Regional Airport Authority last night in Louisville, Kentucky to discuss noise from planes at the Louisville International Airport. The meeting was held to play a simulation of the jet noise level that residents can expect after the new West Runway opens December 1 at the airport. But the simulation provoked residents, who said the noise level is already much greater than the simulation, and they are fed up with it. Meanwhile, airport officials told residents that the areas many of them live in are not eligible for assistance from noise problems because they are outside the boundary considered to be too noisy for daily living.
Mom of Marching Band Student Castigates Arizona Resident who Complained About Noise. The Arizona Republic printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Christine Eaton, a Phoenix resident, regarding noise from early morning band practice by the Mountain Pointe High School marching band:
New Jersey Columnist Advises Us to Abandon Leaf Blowers and Go Back to Rakes. The Record of Bergen County, New Jersey printed an editorial in which the columnist argues that the leaf blower should be banned. The writer says that the noise pollution caused by leaf blowers cannot be justified, and rakes are pleasant alternatives.
New Zealand Judge Sets Noise Insulation Rules for Housing Near Airport. The Evening Post reports that Environment Court Judge Kenderdine ruled yesterday that new housing developments on industrial or commercial land around the Wellington (New Zealand) Airport will have to meet new planning rules, including the use of noise insulation. The article says that the ruling is an attempt to end an 11-year battle over noise at Wellington Airport. Meanwhile, residents that have been fighting for stronger noise controls said that the ruling passes the problem back to the community instead of to the noise-makers.
Pittsburgh Residents Complain About Noise From 24-Hour Operation of Casting Plant. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that angry Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) area residents complained to county supervisors last night about noise from the Harmony Casting plant on Perry Highway. Their complaints come in the face of a proposed expansion at the plant. Meanwhile, the board of supervisors is considering passing a noise ordinance which, among other things, would require the plant to be properly insulated and inspected by the township engineer.
Residents in Formerly Rural North Carolina Area Target Gun Ranges as Too Noisy and Unsafe. The News and Observer reports that there is a growing battle in the Durham, North Carolina area between residents of new subdivisions and proponents of gun ranges. In one recent fight, Duncan Floyd, a property owner who wanted to expand his private shooting range, met with strong opposition from neighbors and dropped his request for a permit, the article says.
Small Pilots Safety Group Backs California's El Toro Airport Proposal. The Los Angeles Times reports that a pro-airport group in Orange County, California, called Commercial Pilots for Airport Safety, said that the proposed east/west airport at the proposed El Toro Airport would be safe. This contradicts statements from the two U.S. pilot's unions for commercial airlines.
South Carolina State Officials Rule that Proposed Racetrack Near Old-Growth Forest Can Go Forward. The Herald reports that the South Carolina state Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management issued a decision Tuesday that plans for a racetrack near the old-growth Francis Beidler Forest comply with the state's Coastal Zone Management Act. The agency had ruled earlier that the project complied with the state rules, but reviewed its decision after the state Department of Archives and History raised concerns that noise from the track could affect the forest. Meanwhile, opponents led by the National Audubon Society have challenged several permits for the proposed track near Four Holes Swamp, just two miles from the forest.
Univeral Studio's California Expansion Plan Moves Closer to Approval; Noise Consultant Testifies that Studio Should Provide More Data About Noise. The Los Angeles Times reports that the county Regional Planning Commission in Los Angeles, California will being studying the feasibility of a proposed on-ramp at Universal Studios for the Hollywood Freeway. The ramp has been proposed by Universal Studios, which is undertaking a $1-billion expansion of their buildings. Residents say they haven't been involved in Universal's decisions, and a noise consultant admitted that Universal didn't give enough information about how noisy there facility can be.
Airport Noise in Connecticut Town is a Growing Problem. The Hartford Courant reports that increasing air traffic at the Bradley Airport near Simsbury, Connecticut is creating escalating problems with jet noise for residents. In response to the problem, local officials are asking airport officials to perform a study to determine which parts of the town are experiencing noise. Meanwhile, a public forum on jet noise will be held tonight to detail how the airport measures noise and how residents can register complaints.
Arizona Resident Thinks Early Morning School Band Practice is Cause for Lawsuit. The Arizona Republic printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Bob Ederer, a Tempe, Arizona resident, regarding the controversy over early morning marching band practice at the Mountain Pointe High School:
Court Ruling in New Zealand Ends Ten-Year Battle Over Airport Noise. The Dominion reports that a ten-year fight over acceptable noise levels around the Wellington, New Zealand Airport ended with a ruling yesterday by an Environment Court judge which stipulates where and what kind of housing developments can be built near the airport. The court case involved four parties: the Residents Airport Noise Action Group, the Wellington International Airport, the Board of Airline Representatives, and the Wellington City Council.
Manager of Louisville Airport Opposes Input from Public, Columnist Believes. The Courier-Journal printed an editorial which argues that Robert Michael, the manager of the Louisville (Kentucky) International Airport, has badly misjudged two recent situations in which the public wanted input into the airport expansion project and were denied. A residents group asked for representation on the Regional Airport Authority board, and were opposed by Michael. And, after residents worked for two years with a design firm on relocating their community due to aircraft noise, the firm was passed over for other companies when it came time to do the work. The editorial says that Michael is in the wrong and has offended residents.
Maryland County Board Struggles With Whether to Allow Trucking and Manufacturing Uses in Certain Zones, While Residents Worry About More Noise and Traffic. The Baltimore Sun reports that the Howard County (Maryland) Planning Board delayed a vote yesterday on whether to allow warehouses, truck terminals, and manufacturing centers in planned employment center zones. Members of the board said the proposal by the county administration to add the additional uses was too vague, and asked for clarification. Meanwhile, residents who attended the hearing opposed the changes, saying their neighborhoods would be hurt by the creation of more noise and traffic.
New Jersey Township Officials Call Meeting on Jet Noise. The Record reports that officials of the South Hackensack (New Jersey) Township Committee and the Board of Education have called a public meeting for Tuesday night to discuss noise and air pollution from the Teterboro Airport. The meeting has been prompted by a sharp increase in complaints from residents.
Texas Community Passes Noise Ordinance. The Dallas Morning News reports that some southwest Rowlett homeowners say they are still waiting for the peace and quiet promised by a city noise ordinance passed early this year.
California Neighbors Oppose Church Expansion, Citing More Noise and Traffic. The Ventura County Star reports that neighbors of the NewHeart Foursquare Church in Simi Valley, California are opposing a proposed expansion of the church, saying it would create more noise and traffic and would block their view. Officials from the church presented the expansion plan to the Planning Commission Wednesday, but commissioners postponed action and asked church officials to work with neighbors and rethink their design.
California Residents Oppose Railroad Expansion Because of Train Noise. The Press-Enterprise reports that the Union Pacific Railroad has plans to expand business in Colton, California, but residents living near the train tracks are complaining that noise and air pollution already is too much of a nuisance. Meanwhile, some city officials say the railroad's expansion plans will benefit Colton's lagging economy.
Florida Airport Should Not be Closed, Editorial Argues. The Sun-Sentinel printed an editorial which argues that that Pompano Air Park in Pompano Beach, Florida is a valuable asset to the community, and the Federal Aviation Administration is taking the correct action by refusing to close it. Despite residents' complaints about noise pollution, the editorial says, closing the airport would only increase noise for residents near other area airports.
Judge's Ruling on Building Rules for Homes Near New Zealand Airport Ends a Decade-Long Noise Fight. The Dominion reports that a judge's ruling Thursday regarding building rules for new homes near the Wellington (New Zealand) airport ends a decade-long battle between airline and airport officials and residents. The article describes the long fight, focusing on the leader who organized residents and led a successful battle, Maxine Harris.
Residents Complain About Proposed Expansion of New Orleans Airport. The Times-Picayune reports that more than 400 residents from Kenner, Louisiana and the surrounding area attended a public hearing Friday to voice concerns about a proposed plan to convert a taxiway into a runway for small planes at the New Orleans International Airport. Residents vented pent-up frustration about a variety of airport issues, including noise pollution, and many said it was time for the airport to move.
California Airport Expands and Undertakes Effort to Attract More Air Traffic. The Fresno Bee reports that the second phase of a three-phase expansion/renovation project at The Fresno (California) Yosemite International Airport started in August and should be completed by February. The project involves concerted efforts to attract more air traffic to the airport, the article says. The article describes the project at length, and mentions in passing that airport neighbors have brought forward some concerns about increased noise from the expansion.
Noise and Air Pollution are Driving People Away from St. Louis, Residents Say. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Environmental Protection Agency held a public forum in St. Louis, Missouri Saturday to gather input on environmental problems. Residents who attended the forum told agency officials that many environmental concerns, including noise and industrial air pollution, are helping to destabilize neighborhoods and depopulate the city.
Residents Complain About Traffic Noise in New York Town, But Get No Help From State Officials. The Buffalo News reports that residents in Niagara Falls, New York are complaining about noise from the LaSalle Expressway, which runs from Williams Road in Wheatfield west to the I-190, through the heart of a Niagara Falls residential area. Despite residents' complaints, state officials say they cannot perform a noise study and don't have the funds to build a sound wall or plant trees as a buffer.
Arizona Resident Who Complained About Early Morning Band Practice is Blasted by Other Residents. The Arizona Republic printed the following letters-to-the-editor from residents in Sun City West, Chandler, Glendale, Ahwatukee, and Phoenix, Arizona responding to a resident who complained about early morning noise from a high school marching band in the Chandler area:
California's John Wayne Airport Prepares For Expansion. Orange County Business Journal reports that while the debate over El Toro Airport is getting headlines, John Wayne Airport is growing steadily and expanding with several projects either in the works or on the drawing board.
Chicago Suburb Supports Third Airport. The Chicago Daily Herald reports that Arlington Heights, Illinois will consider joining a new group touting a third regional airport to open by 2005.
New Jersey Airport's Assets Outweigh its Liabilities, Resident Believes. The Record printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Bob Hager, a Rochelle Park, New Jersey resident, regarding the controversy over noise from the Teterboro Airport:
Public Parks in India are Being Turned Into Noisy Celebration Venues, Columnist Complains. Business Line printed an editorial in which the columnist argues that public parks in India are being converted into locations for one noisy personal celebration after another. The writer urges people to join the "quiet India" revolution in order to save the public parks for their intended use and protect human hearing.
Resident Believes Super-Speedway Will be Noisy and Unhealthy for Nashville. The Nashville Banner printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Michael Lawrence, a Nashville resident, regarding a super-speedway proposed for Nashville, Tennessee:
Rhode Island Residents Complain About Gravel Pit Noise, But Police Say Company Hasn't Violated Noise Ordinance. The Providence Journal-Bulletin reports that residents in Richmond, Rhode Island have been complaining about noise from the Richmond Sand Gravel's rock crusher. Nine complaints have been issued in the past few months by residents on Stilson and Buttonwood Roads, but police have not found the company to have violated the town's noise ordinance.
U.S. Senate Bars Use Of Computers On The Floor. Government Computer News published an editorial about a Senate rule barring mechanical devices on the floor.
Airport Noise Workshops Held in Connecticut, But Residents Still Unsatisfied. The Hartford Courant reports that more than 100 residents attended a series of workshops Monday night to discuss noise issues at the Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. But, the article reports, the event organized by the airport commission left many residents feeling skeptical and powerless.
Arizona Resident Says High School Marching Band Should be Required to Abide by Noise Law. The Arizona Republic printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Jeff Suchard, a Phoenix resident, regarding the controversy over early morning band practice of the Mountain Pointe Marching Band:
British Government Proposes Lower Noise Limits at Three Airports. M2 Presswire released the following press release regarding a consultation paper published today by Britain's Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The paper proposes more efficient noise monitoring and lower noise limits for aircraft at Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted airports.
California Residents and Aviation Operators Clash Over Proposal to Ban More Noisy Jets at Van Nuys Airport. The Los Angeles Times reports that a public meeting attended by more than 250 people, residents and aviation-business owners argued over a proposed ban of the noisiest corporate jets from Van Nuys Airport. Also on the table was the issue of whether to include helicopters in the ban. Business owners said layoffs, economic instability, and financial ruin would result from the bans.
Complaints Over Noise and Litter at a California Recycling Center May Lead to its Closure. The Los Angeles Times reports that noise from a 400 square-foot recycling center in Los Angeles has been causing increased complaints recently. The city council is considering revocation of the center's permit to operate, and will decide after a public meeting on December 2nd. Litter has also increased at the center.
Georgia County Considers Fining Owners of Barking Dogs. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reports that the Walton County (Georgia) Commission is proposing a new animal-control ordinance that would fine the owners of dogs that are a nuisance. The article says that specific penalties have not yet been proposed, but the commissioners are seeking to make dog-owners pay fines for dogs that bark excessively or stray too close to their neighbor's property.
Hanover, New York Residents Ask Town Board To Quiet Auto Parts Plant. The Buffalo News reports that the Hanover (New York) Town Board heard from two residents Monday who complained about noise and vibrations from the Bailey Manufacturing plant on Bennett State Road, which makes auto parts. The article says that town officials visited the homes of the two residents and agree something must be done.
Illinois City Supports Plan For Third Airport. The Chicago Daily Herald reports that the City Council of Des Plaines, Illinois unanimously supported a third airport as an alternative to new runways at O'Hare
Kentucky Residents Unload their Anger at a "Truth Rally" on Airport Relocation Project. The Courier-Journal reports that about 500 residents of Minor Lane Heights, Kentucky gathered last night at a "truth rally" to discuss the relocation project for residents in the flight path of jets from the Louisville International Airport. Officials told residents about plans to relocate residents a 287-acre subdivision on Cedar Creek Road. The residents accused officials from the Regional Airport Authority and Jefferson County of ignoring their input and dismissing their needs.
New Hampshire Racetrack Expansion Gets Preliminary Approval. The Union Leader reports that a conceptual plan for a 9,000-seat expansion of the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire received approval from the town planning board last week. However, according to Loudon Planning Board Chair Gary Tasker, the project must get through several more regulatory hurdles before it can go forward. Concerns about increased noise and traffic from the project are still to be addressed, the article says.
New Mexico Village Residents Oppose Expansion of Tortilla Factory, Citing Constant Noise from Coolers and Air Compressors. The Albuquerque Journal reports that residents in the village of Los Ranchos, New Mexico are opposing the proposed expansion of the Albuquerque Tortilla Co., saying the constant noise from coolers and air compressors already is a nuisance. The tortilla factory is seeking a zone change from "commercial" to "special use" to operate a new warehouse.
Ohio Airport Neighbors Oppose Runway Extension on Noise Grounds. The Plain Dealer reports that residents and officials in Olmsted Falls, Ohio are opposed to the proposed extension of runways at the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, saying that the plans will increase noise over a village already plagued by too many low-flying jets. More than 300 residents, as well as officials from Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township, gathered last night to discuss the airport's expansion plans.
Protesters Sleep Over at Brussels Airport to Protest Nighttime Aircraft Noise. The Daily Record reports that hundreds of protesters dressed in pajamas bedded down for the night at the Brussels (Belgium) airport to protest nighttime aircraft noise. The article says that residents are demanding a cut in the 65 flights allowed at the airport every night.
Arizona Resident Advises Neighbor of High School to Put up With Early Morning Band Practice. The Arizona Republic printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Karen Noble, a Chandler, Arizona resident, regarding the controversy over early morning band practice at a high school in Chandler:
Arizona Resident Believes City Ordinance Should be Upheld in Early Morning High School Band Practice Controversy. The Arizona Republic printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Cece West, a Queen Creek, Arizona resident, regarding noise from early morning high school band practice in Chandler:
Arizona Residents Living Near High School With Early Morning Band Practice Get the Scorn of Band Member Parent. The Arizona Republic printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Phoenix resident Lee Ann Hopper regarding the controversy over early-morning high school band practice in Chandler, Arizona:
California County Board Doesn't Revoke Resident's Kennel License, Despite Neighbors' Complaints About Barking. The Press-Enterprise reports that the Riverside (California) County Board of Supervisors Tuesday granted a resident's appeal to keep her kennel license, despite complaints by neighbors that the barking dogs are a nuisance. But, the article says, the kennel owner must return to the board before the license can be renewed in March, and the board expects to monitor conditions at the kennel.
Chicago Suburb Prepares for Soundproofing from Aircraft Noise. The Chicago Tribune reports that the Bensenville (Illinois) committee of the whole met Tuesday night with more than 40 residents whose homes will be soundproofed against noise from air traffic at O'Hare International Airport. The soundproofing will be paid for with money from a settlement of a Bensenville lawsuit against the city of Chicago.
Connecticut Neighbors Oppose Outdoor Shooting Range. The Hartford Courant reports that residents in Cheshire, Connecticut are opposing a new outdoor shooting range being built by the state. Residents fear both the noise of gun blasts and the possibility of stray bullets, and are planning to protest at a public meeting on Monday.
Florida City Considers Restricting Use of Boat Launches to Cut Down on Noise and Traffic for Neighbors. The St. Petersburg Times printed an editorial that argues that residents living near Crisp Park in St. Petersburg, Florida deserve relief from the noise and traffic associated with a popular boat launch area in the park. The City Council is considering restricting the use of the boat ramps, and the editorial says councilors should vote in the restrictions.
Florida Town Meeting Focuses on Noise and River Pollution. The Florida Times-Union reports that a town meeting in Arlington, Florida was held Thursday by City Councilor John Crescimbeni, and was attended by about 35 residents. The main topics of discussion were the health of the St. Johns River and noise pollution from concerts at Alltel Stadium.
Louisville Airport Officials Face Criticism for Not Working With Residents on Relocation Project. The Courier-Journal reports that Dave Armstrong, a Jefferson County (Kentucky) Judge-Executive, has written a strongly worded letter to officials at the Louisville International Airport criticizing them for angering residents of Minor Lane Heights over plans to relocate residents under the airport's flight paths. Armstrong said the engineer that residents have already worked with should be included in designing a new development for displaced homeowners. Armstrong's letter comes after Minor Lane Heights officials were angered last week after the Regional Airport Authority ignored their recommendation to hire Design Engineering for the preliminary work on the town or subdivision where residents may be relocated. Meanwhile, Monday night, 500 residents attended a "truth rally" where the railed against airport and county officials.
New Jersey Resident Believes Traffic Noise is Worse Than Aircraft Noise. The Record printed the following letter-to-the-editor from Paul Sveridovich, a New Milford, New Jersey resident, regarding aircraft noise from the Teterboro Airport and traffic noise:
New York City Councilors Propose Stopping Expansion of Trash Transfer Stations. Newsday reports that two city councilors in New York City introduced legislation yesterday that would stop the expansion of trash transfer stations in the city due to increasing problems with odor, noise, and heavy traffic associated with the stations.
New Zealand District Council Rejects Appeal for Expanded Co-Generation Plant with Weaker Noise Standards. The Daily News reports that the South Taranaki District Council in the New Plymouth, New Zealand area has rejected an appeal from Kiwi Co-operative Dairies to expand its co-generation plant. The council's judicial committee earlier approved the expansion, subject to special noise conditions, which then were appealed by the company.
California Community Tries to Close Recycling Facility Due to Noise Complaints. The Orange County Register reports that the La Palma (California) City Council is seeking to close the Mobile Recycling facility at 5420 La Palma Ave., the city's only recycling Center, largely due to noise pollution emitted from the Center.
Florida Residents Fight Proposed Sand-Mining Operation. The Orlando Sentinel Tribune reports that mining company Tarmac America has plans to move a sand-mining operation in Clermont, Florida to a 321-acre parcel of land in south Lake County off Hartwood Marsh Road. Residents near the proposed site are gearing up to fight the plan, which they say will drain or taint water supplies, cause excessive noise, and disrupt the calm atmosphere of the rural neighborhood.
Fort Worth Mayor to Launch New Media Offensive Against Expansion of Air Service at Love Field. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Kenneth Barr, Mayor of Fort Worth, Texas, said yesterday that he will launch a new media effort in the city's legal battle with Dallas over the expansion of air service at Love Field. Barr said he hopes the media effort will build more support in the city's legal efforts to protect the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport from additional competition at Love Field.
Judge Denies Bid for Bedrock Quarry in Maine, Upholding Town's Mining Ordinance. The Portland Press Herald reports that a Maine Superior Court judge Tuesday denied a mining company's request to allow a bedrock mining operation in a rural neighborhood in Woolwich on Dana Mill Road. The decision upholds the town's mining ordinance, and comes after a decade-long battle to protect the 163-acre site.
Judge Invalidates Florida City's Noise Ordinance. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports that a judge invalidated the noise ordinance in Sarasota, Florida on Wednesday, chalking up a victory for Lemon Coast bar, which challenged the ordinance in July. The noise ordinance had been passed by the City Commission in May, the article says. In response to the ruling, city officials are beginning the process of creating a new ordinance that will correct the faults found by the judge in the previous ordinance.
Kentucky Residents Angry at Airport's Plan to Relocate Housing Development Due to Noise. The Courier-Journal reports that a "truth rally" was held in Minor Lane Heights, Kentucky last Monday to discuss the frustration residents are experiencing with officials at the Louisville International Airport over plans to relocate more than 1,000 homes because of excessive airport noise. The meeting was attended by a crowd of about 500 people, the article says. This month, airport officials proposed building a relocation housing development, but residents still aren't all happy, according to the article.
Louisville Airport Authority Considers Plan to Create New Housing Development for Residents Displaced by Noise. The Courier-Journal reports that the Regional Airport Authority of Louisville and Jefferson County (Kentucky) is considering purchasing 287 acres on Cedar Creek Road in order to build 450 homes for people displaced by noise from Louisville International Airport's reconfigured runways. Plans are to offer residents in 1,620 homes to option to move, the article says.
Ontario Mayor Will Boycott Runway Opening at Toronto Airport in Support of Residents Concerned About Aircraft Noise. The Toronto Star reports that the mayor of Mississauga, Ontario, Hazel McCallion, will boycott tomorrow's official opening ceremony for Pearson Airport's new $150 million north-south runway. McCallion made the decision to support homeowners who have been concerned about increased aircraft noise from the runway.
Opponents of Proposed South Carolina Racetrack Appeal State Decision that Noise Won't Damage Surrounding Countryside. The Post and Courier reports that opponents of a proposed racetrack in Pringletown, South Carolina have appealed a decision by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control that the track's noise level will not adversely affect Francis Beidler Forest. The appellant in the case has claimed that comparisons made between the proposed track and another track are invalid because the topography and existing background noise are very different.
Virginia Town Residents Say Noise Walls and Berms Near New Highway Aren't Enough. The Washington Post reports that a four-lane divided bypass around Warrenton, Virginia opened on Monday after a ribbon-cutting ceremony. But some residents in the Ivy Hill neighborhood near the new highway say the noise walls and berms that have been built will not be enough to drown out the noise of passing traffic, the article reports. Residents attended the ceremony carrying signs saying "Finish Our Sound Wall" and "Spur Noise Ruins Lives."
Dutch Government Report Finds That Restraining Amsterdam Airport's Growth Will Seriously Affect Economy. AP Worldstream reports that a Dutch government advisory body, the Central Plan Bureau, released a report Friday warning that limiting the growth of Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport to meet legal noise limits could cost the Dutch economy "tens of billions of guilders" by the year 2020. The report is being hailed by airlines and dismissed by environmental groups.
Ex-City-Councilor in Dallas Campaigns for Expanded Use of Love Field, While Residents Protest. The Dallas Morning News reports that Jerry Bartos, a former Dallas City Councilor, is campaigning for expanded use of Love Field. Meanwhile, the article says, most citizens are opposed to increased use of the airport due to noise problems in many neighborhoods.
Florida Community Considers Revision Of Noise Ordinance. The Sun-Sentinel reports that the Coral Springs (Florida) City Commission has tabled a proposed change to the city's noise ordinance that would allow businesses to be open an extra hour.
Newark Airport Runway to be Extended Over Objections from New Jersey City Officials. The Asbury Park Press reports that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is going forward with plans to extend one of the runways at Newark International Airport, despite objections from officials in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Opposing Community Groups Struggle Over Expansion Of Dallas Airport. The Dallas Morning News reports that two sharply opposed citizen's groups continue to struggle over the expansion of a Dallas, Texas area airport at Love Field.
Proposed Light Rail Transit Line in Canada Encounters Problems Related to Noise, Vibrations, Wildlife Habitat Disturbance, and Others. The Vancouver Sun reports that the Canadian government has released a report that identifies problems with a light rail transit link proposed to run between Vancouver (British Columbia) and Coquitlam. Problems include everything from noise and vibrations for local businesses and residents to a loss of traffic lanes to disturbance of a wildlife habitat in an important ravine.
Public Housing Project in Pennsylvania Produces More Noise Complaints Than Crime Problems. The Morning Call reports that the Cumberland Gardens housing project in Allentown, Pennsylvania, contrary to popular sentiment, currently is considerably safer than many other low-income neighborhoods in the city. Although many believe that crime is high in the area, the article says that noise complaints are the most frequent type of complaint received in the area.
Southwest Airlines Enters Fight Over Expanded Service at Dallas's Love Field. The Dallas Morning News reports that Southwest Airlines, which has long stayed out of the fight over expanded service at Love Field in Dallas, has entered the controversy after the city of Fort Worth filed a lawsuit to close or prevent expanded service at the airport. According to Southwest chair Herbert Kelleher, the company is "very much opposed to closing Love Field."
Will Dallas' Love Field Close?. The Dallas Morning News reports that there is growing controversy over whether Southwest Airlines will continue to fly out of Love Field in Dallas, Texas, or whether it should be closed.
Air Force and National Guard Want to Fly Combat Exercises Year-Round Over Coastal Georgia. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reports that the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Georgia National Guard want to conduct combat exercises year-round with low-flying jet aircraft over coastal Georgia near Townsend. The proposal is being opposed by some civilian aviators and local government officials, who believe the military's plans would compromise air safety, cause noise pollution on the ground, and discourage business and vacation travelers from landing in the area. Public comments are being accepted by the Federal Aviation Administration on the proposal through Monday.
California Residents Oppose Proposal to Allow Minor League Baseball Games at College. The Ventura County Star reports that residents in Oxnard, California who live near Oxnard College are opposing a proposal for the Pacific Suns minor league baseball team to play games at the college. An environmental study released this week recommended 16 measures to mitigate the traffic, noise, and bright lights that would result from the games, but found that the games would not cause significant problems for residents. The City Council already approved allowing the Suns to play at the college pending the results of the environmental study, the article says, but the Ventura County Community College District has not yet approved the proposal. Their decision is expected in January, the article notes.
Florida Residents Protest Proposal for Industrial Zone Near Their Homes. The Tampa Tribune reports that residents in Thonotosassa near Tampa, Florida are protesting that allowing a property on U.S. 301 to be rezoned to allow commercial intensive uses could cause inappropriate development in an area that has much residential development. County commissioners, meanwhile, have asked the owner of the property for a site plan for the warehouse distribution facility proposed for the site, along with a request to rezone the property.
Minority-Owned Wisconsin Bar With Noise Violations Receives Scrutiny by City, While County Supervisor Accuses City of Discrimination. The Capital Times reports that the Alcohol License Review Committee in Madison, Wisconsin is considering suspending or revoking the liquor license of Taste Buds, a minority-owned bar and restaurant, due to several ordinance violations, including noise violations. Meanwhile, County Board Supervisor Regina Rhyne believes the establishment is not being treated fairly by city officials and is using her position as a minority official to play watchdog over the city.
Monte Carlo Rally Held for Electric Vehicles. The Daily Telegraph printed a column reporting on the third Monte Carlo Rally for Electric Vehicles, the FIA Solar Cup, held near the village of Gorbio, Monaco.
Residents Opposed to Baseball Stadium in Neighborhood; Noise, Bright Lights and Quality of Life Issues. The Ventura County Star reports residents near Oxnard College are disputing a report released this week that says minor league baseball at the college would not have a significant impact on nearby neighborhoods. Residents are concerned about noise, pollution, and bright lights.
Residents Protest New Runway Opening in Toronto Area. The Toronto Sun reports that a new runway at the Pearson Airport in Mississauga, Ontario (outside Toronto) opened yesterday. The opening was marked by a celebration at one end of the facility and a small protest by residents under the runway's flight path at the other end.
Rhode Island Residents Disturbed by What City Officials Believe is Rumbling Sewer Line. The Providence Journal-Bulletin reports that a mysterious booming noise in the earth has been disturbing residents in the Glen Woods neighborhood of Cranston, Rhode Island. The noise caused several residents to file a collective complaint on Nov. 16 with police. City officials say they now believe the noise is emanating from a pressurized sewer line.
Study Finds That Speed Bumps to Slow Traffic in Britain's Villages Result in More Noise. The Daily Telegraph reports that a British government study published in Traffic Engineering & Control magazine has found that vehicles driving over speed bumps in Britain's villages are so noisy they are annoying thousands of British residents. In many cases, the article says, the increased noise from the speed bumps is outweighing the benefit of quieter roads gained by reducing the speed of traffic. The study found that trucks are responsible for much of the louder noise, the article says.
Toronto Residents Protest New Runway. The Toronto Sun reports that Pearson Airport's newest runway in the Toronto, Canada area was marked yesterday by a celebration at one end of the massive facility and a small protest at the other.
Editorial Argues That Airport Expansion Plan Should Move Forward. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch printed an editorial that supports the W-1W expansion plan of the Lambert Airfield in the St. Louis, Missouri area. The editorial says the impact of a new, modern airport would be enormous on the development of the region in the next century. In addition, the editorial argues, the recent opening of MidAmerica Airport in St. Clair County has put the region in an excellent position to become a key player not only in air-passenger traffic, but also in air-cargo traffic.
Harley Enthusiasts Show Little Enthusiasm for Debut of First Electric Motorcycles in California. The Los Angeles Times reports that an electric motorcycle has been created by Electric Motorbike Inc. in Northern California, but patrons of the Harley-Davidson Museum in Glendale made fun of the "Lectra," saying it was too quiet.
Highway Move Considered for Arizona Town; Some Say it Would Reduce Traffic Noise. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that the Arizona Department of Transportation is considering moving part of U.S. 89 to go around Wickenburg, Arizona instead of through it, due to problems with congestion. However, the article says, some residents approve the plan, saying it will improve safety, noise and air pollution in the town, while others say the town's merchants will fail if no traffic is routed through their town.
Hong Kong Airport Set to Close; Merchants Predict Losses, But Property Agents Expect Boom in Housing Market in the Area. The South China Morning Post reports that the Kai Tak Airport in Kowloon City, Hong Kong is set to close in 1998 when the new Chek Lap Kok Airport opens. The article says that some merchants near Kai Tak expect their businesses to hang on after the airport is gone, while others expect their businesses to fold. Meanwhile, property agents are gearing up for new residential housing in the area, which will be more popular when residents don't have to deal with aircraft noise.
Milwaukee Residents Protest Plan to Extend Airport Runway. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that residents near the Mitchell International Airport in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area are opposing a plan to extend the airport's smallest runway by 700 feet, which would allow larger planes to land. Officials have approved the plan and the County Board has appropriated money for the project, the article says, although a few more steps are required for final approval. The plan will be discussed at a public information session today, the article reports.
Plans To Cut Air Pollution Over The Grand Canyon Behind Schedule. The Arizona Republic reports that new rules for air-tour flights over the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona will result in virtually no reduction in noise, according to a secret National Park Service memo obtained by The Arizona Republic.
Tennessee Community Worries That Bypass Road Will Bring More Traffic And Noise. The Tennessean reports that residents of Mount Juliet. Tennessee are concerned that a road bypass would increase noise and traffic in the area.
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